2nd graders are at an exciting point in their reading journey. They are learning to read independently, and you will notice that they are easily immersed in longer stories. Now is the perfect time to introduce chapter books into your family read-aloud or classroom.
2nd graders will love stories that transport them to an imaginary world or take them on amazing adventures. Young readers want to be entertained, challenged, and enlightened, and the best chapter books tick all those boxes.
1. The Magic Treehouse: Dinosaurs Before Dark
by Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Folk Tale and Myth
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Jack and Annie are siblings who discover a magical treehouse while playing one day. It is filled with books, one of them about dinosaurs. Jack wishes he could see a real dinosaur, and the next thing they know, the children find themselves in prehistoric times. After a close encounter with a T-rex, the pair make it back to the treehouse and home.
This chapter book is the first in a series and is a great introduction for second graders. Treehouses, wishes, and time travel are sure to excite early readers.
2. The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh
by A. A. Milne
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
The characters of Milne’s stories are iconic and as lovable today as they were 96 years ago. The stories are loosely connected in ten chapters following the antics of the characters. The sweet stories will ignite the imagination of 2nd graders.
Milne also has a beautiful way of creating distinct character voices. They teach kids about love, friendship, loss, and life in a gentle way. The Tales of Winnie the Pooh is one of those favorite chapter books for 2nd graders that the whole family can enjoy.
3. The Kingdom of Wrenly: The Lost Stone
by Jordan Quinn
Genre: Fantasy and Adventure
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
The Kingdom of Wrenly series is the perfect introduction to early chapter books. The language is simple, and there are plenty of pictures. More than that, though, it is a story of friendship and adventure, set in a fantasy world filled with magical creatures.
The Lost Stone is the first book in the series and follows Prince Lucas and Clara in their search for the Queen’s missing emerald.
4. Monster and Boy
by Hannah Barnaby
Genre: Adventure and Humor
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
This story is perfect for 2nd graders who have a fear of bedtime monsters. The book follows the story of a monster who lives under the bed and his introduction to the boy who doesn’t know he exists.
After a funny start of the monster swallowing the boy, the story takes a delightful turn. The boy is now cricket-sized and gets into all sorts of trouble with the monster.
Easy vocabulary, engaging illustrations, and relatable characters make this chapter book a favorite.
Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker
by Shelley Johannes
Genre: Humor
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Beatrice is a quirky character, content to be herself. This is a fantastic message for kids who may be struggling to find their feet in a peer group.
Beatrice’s best friend Lenny makes another friend, which concerns Beatrice. But, she learns that being kind and looking for the positives in a situation can lead to new friends and experiences. Frequent illustrations and funny scenes make this chapter book perfect for 2nd graders.
6. Geronimo Stilton: The Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye
by Geronimo Stilton
Genre: Adventure and Comedy
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When it comes to chapter books for 2nd graders, you can’t go wrong with the Geronimo Stilton series. They are fast-paced, high-energy, and eye-catching. These are books that kids will love with action-packed adventure and moments of danger.
Treasure hunts, sticky situations, cheesy puns, and humor make this a must-have chapter book read.
7. Frog and Toad Are Friends
by Arnold Lobel
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
The story of the friendship between Frog and Toad is a classic you shouldn’t miss. The beautiful illustrations follow the friendship and adventures of the two unlikely friends.
Although they are different, they use humor to understand each other and the situations they find themselves in. These engaging stories teach kids about accepting each other’s differences and the value of friendship.
8. Charlotte’s Web
by E. B. White
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Charlotte’s Web is another one of those books that has become a classic. The story follows the friendship between Fern Arable and her pig Wilbur. It is also about Wilbur’s relationships with the other animals in the barn.
This book is about family, friendship, and love. Through the magic of talking animals, 2nd graders can safely explore big ideas.
9. The Questioneers: Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters
by Andrea Beaty
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Engineering, teamwork, and creativity abound in these chapter books. This story is perfect for 2nd-grade girls as it challenges career stereotypes. The feisty main character uses creativity, imagination, and perseverance to overcome her challenges.
The colorful illustrations and quirky experiments are great learning tools. They explore engineering, facing your fears, and dealing with peer pressure.
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of those classic chapter books you probably read as a child. It transports young readers to an imaginative world filled with wonder and adventure.
The story doesn’t shy away from big themes such as poverty and greed and explores them in a way that 2nd graders could understand. Instead, it balances light-hearted humor with dark moments and will captivate 2nd graders.
11. Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew: Sleepover Sleuths
by Carolyn Keene
Genre: Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
2nd-grade girls will love this series based on the popular Nancy Drew Mysteries. In this new version, Nancy is 8 years old and ready to tackle the mysteries she encounters with her friends.
Sleepover Sleuths is about friendship, persistence, and finding the truth. The illustrations and themes make this mystery series a fantastic introduction to chapter books.
12. Bindi Wildlife Adventures: Trouble at the Zoo
by Bindi Irwin and Chris Kunz
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
The Bindi Wildlife Adventure series is ideal for animal lovers. Filled with adventure, animals, and mystery, Trouble at the Zoo will delight young readers.
When a boy tries to steal a water dragon at her birthday party, Bindi and her brother Robert spring to the rescue. This is a story based on kindness, relationships, and fun.
13. The Boxcar Children
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Genre: Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
The Boxcar Children is another classic chapter book that will have you reminiscing about your own childhood. There is something special about reading a book with your children that you read as a child. It allows you to discuss your experience and feelings and share them with your 2nd grader.
Four children start living in an abandoned boxcar after their parents die. They work together to create a safe space and eventually find their grandfather, who takes them in. The story explores serious themes through relationships and creative problem-solving. But it is still relatable for young children.
14. Comet in Moominland
by Tove Jansson
Genre: Fantasy
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Quirky, eccentric, and comforting is the best way to describe this book. The threat of a comet causes distress for the residents of Moominland. But the characters are steadfast in their belief that everything will be fine.
This story is filled with magic and adventure but also explores serious topics. It is whimsical and contains unique illustrations that are sure to capture the imaginations of the 2nd graders who read it.
15. Bink and Gollie
by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee
Genre: Adventure and Humor
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Based on the power of friendship and the age-old idea that opposites attract, Bink and Gollie is a perfect starter chapter book.
The best friends embark on daring adventures together and the illustrations capture each character’s personality and eccentricities. This book encourages resilience, authenticity, and individuality through sparky dialogue and the challenges of friendship.
16. Dodsworth in New York
by Tim Egan
Genre: Adventure
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
This first book in the series will have your 2nd graders laughing at the antics of Dodsworth and duck as they adventure together. The pair take you through New York in this off-beat story of an unlikely friendship.
The book is fast-paced and will keep younger readers entertained and engaged. The illustrations are simple but effective.
17. The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure
by Doreen Cronin
Genre: Humor and Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Reading should be fun, and this book will keep kids laughing as they learn. The story follows the zany adventures of a few silly chickens and introduces new vocabulary in a fun way. Difficult words are repeated, and the illustrations provide a scaffold for understanding tricky phrases.
Filled with humor, silliness, and mystery, The First Misadventure is an adventure you don’t want to miss.
18. Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail
by Kate Messner
Genre: Fantasy and Adventure
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Danger, adventure, and a time-traveling dog, what’s not to love? The Ranger in Time series is about a rescue dog who kept getting distracted and couldn’t pass his test. He then finds a first-aid kit in the garden that takes him back in time and puts his skills to the test.
Rescue on the Oregon Trail beautifully depicts the hardships of life at that time. This is a fantastic chapter book for 2nd graders told from the point of view of the dog, which is a new experience.
19. The Zach and Zoe Mysteries: The Missing Baseball
by Mike Lupica
Genre: Mystery
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
Mystery chapter books are a fantastic way to hold the interest of rowdy 2nd graders. In this series, 8-year-old twins solve sports-themed mysteries together.
They are wholesome, sweet, and the perfect early reader chapter book. If your 2nd grader loves Cam Jansen, these books are a must.
20. The Last Firehawk: The Ember Stone
by Katrina Charman
Genre: Fantasy
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
For the fantasy-loving 2nd grader, The Last Firehawk series is a win. Filled with epic adventure in a fantastical world, it is a great introduction to quest-themed chapter books.
The stakes are high as Tag and his friend Skyla search for a magical stone that could defeat the dark vulture Thorn. This story will plunge readers into a world of action, friendship, and daring feats.
21. A Boy Called Bat
by Elana K. Arnold
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon | Bookshop
This story has a neurodiverse main character and deals with divorce, school, and friendships. The book handles these issues with gentleness and sensitivity. The book avoids labels as Bat interacts with the people and animals around him.
It is a story told from a unique perspective and offers kids a glimpse into the world of someone on the autism spectrum.
There are So Many 2nd Grade Chapter Books to Choose From
Newly independent readers will enjoy the challenge of a longer story. They allow for deeper character development and involved plots. Whether reading them on their own or with you, chapter books provide a way for kids to escape into a new world and go on adventures.
There are amazing chapter books for 2nd graders, so you are sure to find one that resonates with you and your child.